'Ghostbusters' is the funniest comedy of the past 25 years?

I’ll start this off with an admission: I’ve seen 24 of the 25 comedies
listed, and the one I’ve missed is No. 2: “National Lampoon’s
Vacation.” We all have movies that have fallen through the cracks, and
that’s one of mine (as is “Top Gun”).

Is “National Lampoon’s Vacation” really the second funniest movie of
the past 25 years? And do you agree that “Ghostbusters” is the funniest
and that 1983 and 1984 somehow produced the top four (including
“Beverly Hills Cop” at No. 3 and “This Is Spinal Tap” at No. 4)?

I might put “This Is Spinal Tap” at the very top, but as much as I
enjoyed “Ghostbusters” and “Beverly Hills Cop,” they don’t come to mind
when I think of the funniest movies ever made.

Here’s the full list, which will save you the time of clicking through all of EW’s photos:

The category actually is kind of tricky because “funniest movies” isn’t the same as “best comedies.” That’s why I’m puzzled by the inclusion of a few of these, such as Richard Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused” at No. 10.

I really liked that movie—I’m one of the 12 or so people who actually paid to see it in the theater (at Chicago’s late Chestnut Station, where movies would go to die)—but that’s because of how well observed it is, not because it’s a laff riot.

If the definition here of “funny” goes beyond sheer belly laughs, then Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore” (1998) is a glaring omission, as is Harold Ramis’ “Groundhog Day” (1993, a superior movie to “Ghostbusters,” which Ramis co-wrote). I’d also give a nod to “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006), which works on both levels.

Even if you are using the laugh-o-meter, David O. Russell’s modern-day screwball comedy “Flirting with Disaster” (1996) certainly belongs here. Instead, Ben Stiller is represented on the EW list by “There’s Something About Mary” (which I haven’t seen since it came out, but it sure cracked me up at the time) and the new “Tropic Thunder” (I enjoyed it OK, but top 25?). If you're in a conventional mood, you might argue for “Meet the Parents” (2000) as well.

Meanwhile, I wouldn’t tout “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life” (1983) as a great movie, but when it hits (“It’s wafer thin!”), it offers bigger laughs than almost anything on this list. I’d also take last year’s “Knocked Up” over “Superbad” and perhaps the Coen Brothers’ “Raising Arizona” (1987) over—or at least in addition to—“The Big Lebowski.”

In addition, I’d be mindful not to overlook G-rated fare. Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” are pretty darn funny, as is “Babe” (1995). The duck-and-pig-stealing-the-alarm-clock set piece? The pig actually herding the sheep? Hi-LARIOUS.

Other notable omissions, mostly for their popularity rather than my actual fondness for these films: anything starring Jim Carrey, anything starring Adam Sandler, almost anything starring Will Ferrell (he’s in the “Old School” ensemble), anything directed by Woody Allen and anything starring Hugh Grant (he had a nice run of romantic comedies with “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Notting Hill” and “About a Boy”—and romantic comedies are hard to do).

You know who should be somewhere on the list? Jackie Chan. Not the “Rush Hour” movies but rather his classic Hong Kong action comedies such as “Project A” (1983) and “Drunken Master II” (1994).

Random thought: I haven’t seen it in forever, but does “Ruthless People” (1986) hold up? Also, I sure thought Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” was blackly hilarious when it came out in 1985.

Here’s my most-overrated team from the EW list: “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best In Show” (sorry, but I don’t think Christopher Guest’s own movies ever approached “Spinal Tap”), “Old School” and “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.”

I realize I just lost credibility with a bunch of you, but sue me: Those movies didn’t make me laugh.

Here’s what made me laugh so much it should be moved up from No. 24: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad.”

I am amazed that "Caddyshack" didn't make the cut. It is number one on my list. Some others which are noticeably absent: "Zoolander" and "The Jerk."
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CARO COMMENT: "Caddyshack," 1980; "The Jerk," 1979. Both too early.

Yes, Vacation is pretty funny, but not as funny as Christmas Vacation. Do yourself a favor and check it out, Mark - but not the edited version on basic cable.

And I agree Austin Powers is WAY overrated. I don't think Mike Myers' constant mugging and lame accenting is funny at all.

There are a lot of iffy movies on this list, but I think list makers do that intentionally just to get people to write and talk about their lists. But this particular list is pretty bad. It looks like one EW staffer's personal faves list. I've never even heard of Withnail and I!

Any list of 'funniest movies' that doesn't include Groundhog Day is deeply flawed. We can debate where it should land in the list of Top 25, but it truly should be in the list somewhere. Once again, I love Entertainment Weekly for showing me that their lists are virtually meaningless.

It is an odd list. I like Ghostbusters but it's hardly deserving of #1.
As long as we are listing funny but not great movies I'd have to put Super Troopers up there.
"I swear to God, I'll pistol whip the next guy who says shenanigans!"

I guess noone saw Idiocracy - one of the funniest, stupid comedies of the past decade. Of course, a good deal of the US population probably saw their "resemblence" and were therefore turned off by this movie.

Movies that I question if they should have been on this are Clueless? It was alright but not a laugh riot. When Harry Met Sally was a good movie but I don't know if I would consider it opne of the funniest movies.

While I think that many may disagree with me, I loved 1998's "The Impostors"- one of my favorite movies from the '90's.

I'd also add Rushmore, Royal Tennebaums, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (which I find a superior movie), and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Yeah, that last one's kind of a surprise, but it parodies Glam Rock just as good as Spinal Tap parodied Hair bands.

Just a couple of years ago, critics were saying that "Borat" was the funniest comedy in years, and yet it does not make the top 25. Any Top 25 list that does not include "Bad Santa" and "Borat" is a worthless list.

The following were scathingly funny, and belong on the list in chronological order:

Does anything by Mel Brooks make the cutoff? If so, where's 'Spaceballs' on the list? This 'Star Wars' spoof still has me in stitches, both for dialog ("I knew it! I'm surrounded by A**holes!") and for sight gags (Mr. Radar next to Mr. Coffee on the instrument panel, or President Skroob breathing from a can of 'Perri-air') .

Both Blazing Saddles and Animal House came out more than 25 years ago.

I agree with their top choice but I'm biased; it's my second favorite movie of all time.

Brian, I wholeheartedly agree with Wet Hot American Summer ranking in the top 5 but I also think it's too absurd and outrageous for most people to get which is why so few have seen it and even less appreciate it. Except for people like us.

Annie Hall
Office Space
The Producers- original version only
Duck Soup
Dr. Strangelove
Manhattan
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CARO COMMENT: Only "Office Space" isn't too old for this particular list. Hey, I didn't make the rules; I'm just following them. All fine choices otherwise.

These EW lists are usually inaccurate and pointless, but honestly you lost all credibility when you admitted you haven't seen National Lampoon's Vacation or Top Gun. That's just sad dude - you should just go home and watch those right now. Ghostbusters may not be #1 on my list but it's definitely close. I would add movies like Spies Like Us, Back to School, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Spaceballs, Princess Bride.....

Undercover Brother should have made the list. Bunch of racists working at EW.
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CARO COMMENT: I actually gave "Undercover Brother" three stars when I reviewed it, though its writer pretty much disowned it.

Sue you??? How about forget you. The movies you listed as overrated WERE funny (I have not seen Old School) and probably deserved a higher ranking. You haven proven to me that your sense of humor is sophomoric at best.

To the more mature folks out there, go see those movies dissed by this child. The starring names say it all; John Cleese, Michael Palin, Kevin Kline, J.L. Curtis, Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Williard, even Michael Meyers with an ensemble of additional great actors (comedians) make these movies funny in repeated settings.

About the Pop Machine

"Pop Machine" is Chicago Tribune entertainment reporter Mark Caro's attempt to peel back the flip top and inhale the fizz of pop culture. Or something like that. You can read what Mark has been writing in the newspaper right here.